Morristown School Beginnings

                                                        As related by Ena LaMar McGuire

The first school was in a vacated saloon on the south side of the railroad and town.  In a conversation with a former Wickenburg teacher, whose name was John O’Brien, it was learned that his mother Leora Randall O’Brien, also known as Peggy, turned the saloon into a school in 1915.

She and her family were early residents on the Hassayampa River.  Peggy was determined that her children would be educated. She approached School Superintendent R. E. Crousa.  She had fulfilled all of the necessary requirements to start the school with at least seven students.  Jack O’Brien, Shade Hardee, and Harry Cox furnished the labor for the remodeling.  The county seat sent out Dixie Lacey as the first teacher.

It is reported there were two Ortega brothers, and two Champie children from the Champie Ranch at Desert Hot Springs.  This was the first year.

The new school at the present location opened in 1927-28.  Ena LaMar McGuire was the sole graduate in 1928 and still resides in Morristown.  Seven LaMar children, one grandchild, and Howard Lilly graduated from Morristown School and Wickenburg High School. 

For a number of years we had a one room school and one teacher over all eight grades.   Mrs. Golda Hardee and Mrs. Jess Hamilton were two of our early teachers.  Mrs. Golda Hardee first taught in the years of 1918-21, and again later.

Out of Morristown School we have had an attorney, doctor, two nurses, several teachers, our own Head Teacher, and the once Yo-Yo champion of the world, Sam[Tex]Schultz.

Our attendance has grown from seven students in 1915 to over one hundred in 2001.

Resource:

Early student Ena McGuire, 1928 graduate

Arizona Republic article

by James West 6-9-1991.

                   Morristown Elementary School District

                 School Years 1915-1916 through 2005-2006

This recollection presented at the 90^th Anniversary Reunion, February 12, 2006

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The School was officially established as a school district on July 1, 1916 by the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools.